Kulturwerkstatt Hinterhermsdorf

A House for the ArtsThe Schützenhaus in the town of Wehlen is the summer residence of the Lancaster born but in Dresden well known, landscape, history and portrait painter Christopher Haley Simpson. He has a large studio space where he works on his more important projects, as well as taking daily inspiration from the magnificent landscape of Saxon Switzerland. In this vein he is currently working on a series of life size portraits and doing interviews with members of the “Group of 20” - a spontaneous citizens rights movement which brought about peaceful change in Dresden in 1989, paving the way for democratic transformation and German reunification.On the ground floor is Salon Suisse, a guest room run by the Summer Beer Garden, which is used for exhibitions and cultural events.As well as an annual solo exhibition of the resident C.H. Simpson, there are also three recurring thematic group exhibitions each year.“In praise of work” (Always beginning on international Labour Day on 1st of May)“Art, Sausage and Beer” (Usually opening in the middle or at the end of July with a big summer party)“Black, Red & Gold” (Usually beginning on a weekend at the onset of the heating period “EINHEIZweekend” around the 2nd/3rd of October)Next to Salon Suisse there is also a second exhibition space in the first floor, with an exhibition programme or picture cabinet parallel but independent of the main exhibition downstairs. Next to the works of a selection of Dresden artists, we would like foremost to present works by contemporary Czech, Polish and other English artists in solo or group shows here. In the long corridor and tall staircase of the house there is currently an exhibition of a selection of Christopher Simpson’s portraits dating from the last 29 years.The House for the Arts is always open for long hours in the Summer Beer Garden season. In the summer months it is most likely that you will bump into the artist working on site. When he is not otherwise occupied Christopher Simpson is happy to give visitors guided exhibition, studio, and portrait gallery talks and tours of Ole Haake’s “Garden of Dreams”. For larger groups it is best to announce your coming in advance ( OI52 O94I9869).